A Citizen’s Guide to Protecting North Hampton’s Wetlands and Water Resources

This publication is brought to you by the North Hampton Conservation Commission with a grant from the New Hampshire Estuaries Project, which is a US EPA-funded program of the University of New Hampshire. www.northhampton-nh.gov Fall 2008

From dismal swamp to respectable wetland Surprisingly, the word "wetland" has not been with us for very long. The first official governmental use of "wetland" appeared in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report in 1956. Before the term "wetland," people just used any name for damp real es- tate, such as marshland, mire, muskeg, quagmire, slough or By Dave Kellam, swampland. New Hampshire Estuaries Project Ironically, when English settlers arrived in North America, they did not have a word for the forested wetlands they en- countered, because those types of habitats had long been de- stroyed in their native England. Since they had no experience If you had to define one of with these ecologically important habitats, the settlers simply the following words, which referred to them as swamps or sometimes "dismal swamps." one would you pick: fen, morass, or wetland? Proof of this historic name is evidenced by the Great Dismal You might choose “wetland” and guess that it is earth that Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, in southeastern Virginia. squishes beneath your feet. But really you could not lose, be- Attitudes toward wetlands remained dismal until Henry David cause all three words fit that definition. Thoreau fell in love with swamps in the mid 1800s. On June In general, "wetland" is a term that describes many specific 15, 1840, after spending many hours up to his nose in a Con- types of watery habitats, such as marshes, bogs, and swamps. cord, Massachusetts, swamp "soaking up the juices of a The legal definition from the U.S. Environmental Protection marsh," he wrote down his thoughts on wetlands: "When I Agency is "areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or would recreate myself, I seek the darkest wood, the thickest ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support and most interminable, and to the citizen, most dismal a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in satu- swamp. I enter the swamp as a sacred place - a sanctum sanc- rated soil conditions." Or, in plain English – wet land. torum. There, is the strength, the marrow of nature." Respect for wetlands has increased ever since. Continued on page 8

Wetlands sustain North Hampton’s beautiful and diverse wildlife Purpose

Unlike the bustling urban landscape of Boston, North Hampton residents can still be inspired by daily wildlife The purpose of this sightings. Early in the morning great blue herons and snowy egrets fish in the Little River salt marsh, colorful dragonflies newsletter is to provide dance across the blue sky, and river otters play in secluded public information, ponds. Some of the best natural beauty that northern New including technical England has to offer still thrives in North Hampton. facts, to North Hampton Some of the wild flora and fauna in North Hampton are quite rare. The spotted turtle is a beautiful but seldom seen reptile residents about the found only in large undisturbed blocks of diverse wetland

Eric Bégin Eric importance of

Wikimedia Wikimedia habitats. The rare redfin pickerel is a small freshwater fish found in North Hampton’s weedy pools and streams. The protecting wetlands, rarest plant documented in the town is the slender blue flag wetlands buffers and iris. Found in salt marshes, this species is threatened in New Hampshire and has only been recorded in 10 other drinking water aquifers. communities in the last 20 years. The native flower is at the It is also to inform

Wisconsin DNR northern limit of its range and has disappeared from many

Kathy Davis Davis Kathy readers of the wetlands places because of habitat loss. protection regulations One reason wildlife flourishes in North Hampton is the amount of wetlands in the town. Approximately, one third of and give them the town is classified as wetlands and these habitats are critical suggestions about how to a variety of plant and animal species. Some wildlife require expansive tracts of undisturbed wetlands like those found at homeowners can the the headwaters of the Winnicut River. This is just one reason protect these critically

NHEP NHEP why protecting these areas through conservation easements North Hampton’s wild plants and and maintaining wetland buffers is so important. valuable resources. animals include the great blue heron (left/ top), redfin pickerel (left/middle), cherry- faced meadowhawk (left/bottom), river Robert H. Mohlenbrock, USDA NRCS otter (right/top), spotted turtle (right/ middle), and slender blue flag iris (right/ bottom).

University of New Hampshire Lawn care tips to NON PROFIT ORG. 123 Nesmith Hall protect water Durham, NH 03824 U.S. POSTAGE PAID quality on page 7. Postal Customer DURHAM, NH PERMIT NO. 2 2 What is a wetland buffer (and how is it like a sponge)?

A wetland buffer is simply infiltration of water are known as impervious surfaces (read the vegetated area directly "Imperious Surfaces" to learn more on page 4). adjacent to wetlands. It It is clear that wetland buffers cannot contain buildings, may be along the wooded roads, swimming pools, or other structures that do not absorb shoreline of a pond, the water. This is why in 2003, the Town of North Hampton grassy border of a restricted the building of structures within a 100-foot buffer of freshwater marsh, or the all town wetlands. The town's goal is to maintain healthy shrubby land along a buffers because of the great benefits they provide all North flowing stream. Regardless of the kind of wetland, a wetland Hampton residents. buffer has lush plant growth and it is this plant growth that makes a wetland buffer act like a sponge. Beyond adhering to the town land use ordinance (see page 5), careful stewardship of buffers is an important role individual The roots of plants create tiny spaces in the soil that look like landowners can play. Do not store vehicles in a wetland buffer the holes in a sponge. These spaces enable wetland buffers to because oil seeping from engines can easily pollute our water. absorb water very well. As rainwater flows toward a wetland, Keep landscaping to a minimum near wetlands and only plant the porous soil grabs the water. Plant roots absorb some of it, native plants to benefit wildlife (see page 7 for landscaping but the rest seeps deeper and eventually enters the tips near wetlands). Consider maintaining a buffer larger than groundwater that North Hampton residents rely on for 100 feet which will better protect wetlands and attract more Mowing to the edge of a wet- drinking water. And like any good sponge, a wetland buffer beautiful wildlife. Encourage a stable wetland buffer by not land damages the ability of cleans the water it absorbs. Rainwater and stormwater runoff mowing it or applying chemical fertilizers, pesticides or the plants to filter runoff and that is laden with pollutants is purified when it flows through a herbicides. stabilize the wetland shore to well-vegetated wetland buffer. prevent erosion. Letting a Because the spongy soil of a buffer soaks up water, wetland lawn grow wild next to a buffers are also good at lessening the impact of flooding. A stream or marsh not only watershed (the land drained by rivers) that has wide vegetated improves wildlife habitat and buffers will flood less often than one that is covered in roads, the health of the wetland, buildings, parking lots, and other structures that prevent but it saves time and money water from soaking in the ground. These areas that prevent on lawn care around the house. Wetland buffers are Nature's water treatment plants. They clean surface water of pollutants, like nitrogen Healthy and sediments, before they enter a wetland and even the groundwater landscaping that provides North Hampton's makes for a drinking water. healthy watershed

Protecting the headwaters of the Little River (above), the river’s lower portions (below left) By Barbara McMillan, and the Winnicut River headwaters (below right) are vital for the protection of water quality. New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

No matter where you live, you are in a watershed. Within that watershed, rain and snow falling on homes, lawns, and driveways eventually find their way to the lowest point in a river, lake, pond, stream, or ocean. Often, without realizing it, homeowners add pollutants, including lawn chemicals, fertilizers, silt, and sand to surface waters. However, with a few minor changes to your garden and lawn care routine, you can begin playing an active role in improving water quality in your watershed, while saving yourself both time and money. Start by examining your landscaping and look for ways it might be contributing polluted runoff. First, ask yourself if you need all that lawn. Reducing the size of your lawn will save you time and money and save your watershed from pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, and other backyard chemicals. Instead of lawn, plant groundcovers, trees,

Continued on page 8 3 North Hampton wetlands, aquifers, and conservation lands

In North Hampton, approximately 1,100 acres, or about 12% of the Town's land area, is protected conservation land. This is more than double the acreage that was in conservation in 2002. About one-third of the town is covered in wetlands and 29% of the land sits on groundwater aquifers that supply drinking water. Eleven Aquarion wells in North Hampton and an estimated 500 residential wells supply the Town's total drinking water from these aquifers.

Wetlands

Aquifer

Conservation Land

This map is intended for reference purposes only. Consult appropriate maps at the North Hampton Town Office or a wetlands scientist to determine boundaries.

Document characterizes North Hampton wetland buffers and describes connections to public interest and property values

A 2008 publication A particularly sensitive area identified during the review was “Protecting water quality in the Little River is especially commissioned by the New along Lovering Road. The area is characterized by an important since North Hampton and other public agencies Hampshire Estuaries expansive marsh near the road crossing of the Winnicut River. have invested a great deal of time and money to restore the Project and North Hampton A few homes at that site are located very near the wetland Little River Marsh, which is key to the health of the ecosystem Conservation Commission boundary and have the potential to negatively impact the and character of the town.” summarizes the role North marsh. Lord recommends that "these homeowners and others To read Dr. Lord’s full analysis of North Hampton’s wetland Hampton wetland buffers sited near the river should be encouraged to routinely inspect buffers, go to www.northhampton-nh.gov. In a collaborative play in providing flood and maintain their septic systems, since failure of these effort with the Nature Conservancy, the Commission has control, water purification systems would have significant impact on the river" and "lawn initiated a water quality sampling and testing program along and other functions that care practices in these areas should minimize fertilizer and the Winnicut River to safeguard the watershed and identify benefit the public. pesticide use." and remedy by enforcement, sources of potential Dr. Leonard Lord, wetland The technical memorandum also examines the Little River, contamination. scientist for Vanasse which originates and runs its Hangen Brustlin, studied Septic Systems entire length through North town wetlands in April 2008 should be Hampton. Lord identified and drafted a technical commercial development along memorandum that inspected Rt. 1 as the most significant highlighted the importance annually and impact on the wetland buffer of the 100 foot wetland pumped out and noted that land protection buffer setback as established activities should focus on by North Hampton Zoning every three to headwater reaches to have the Regulations. five years. most ecological value for the watershed. During his evaluation, Dr. Lord identified the Lord noted that “due to their position in the watershed, the headwaters of the Winnicut residential areas in the lower portion of the watershed and the River and its tributaries Little River Tidal Marsh will be subject to the greatest impacts west of I-95 as beginning a associated with increased impervious surfaces and buffer high-value, well functioning impacts associated with development over time.” These wetland with relatively little impacts include poor water quality and flooding. residential development. He During the field review a significant amount of algae was did note however that the I- observed floating in the Little River in the area along Rt. 111. 95 and Rt. 111 crossings Lord cautions that “excess algae typically indicates high have had a significant nutrient inputs to a waterbody” and is often the result of impact on the watershed fertilizers, pet wastes, and/or silt. and buffers. 4 What Are How do impervious surfaces affect water resources? Impervious Increase Flooding Surfaces? Curbs, gutters, and storm Impervious surfaces are areas drain pipes are typically covered by material that designed to move water very prevents the infiltration of quickly from buildings to water into the soil. Examples the nearest river or stream. of impervious surfaces are This is much faster than the buildings, pavement, way water naturally flows concrete, and severely through a watershed.

compacted soils. Amy Kane Before land is developed, Flooding in 2006 and 2007 damaged property and closed several roads in North Hamp- rainwater slowly moves ton, including Mill Road at the Little River crossing pictured above. through wetlands and either

How much is too much? seeps into the soil or amount of oxygen in the Various studies from around the country show that stream gradually flows to the sea. water and often kills aquatic ecosystems and water quality become degraded as impervious Impervious surfaces creatures. surfaces increase. Damage to streams often occurs when more increase the amount and Increase Water Pollution than 10% of the land within a watershed is covered with speed of stormwater flowing Impervious surfaces impervious surfaces. When the percentage of impervious into streams and thus accelerate the delivery of cover exceeds 25%, most watersheds experience severe habitat increases flooding. and water quality degradation. In 2005, a study in New pollutants, such as bacteria Cause Stream Hampshire demonstrated that the percent of impervious and nitrogen, to rivers, lakes, Temperatures to Rise surface and its proximity to streams can be used as indicators and estuaries. Bacteria can of stream quality. The heat of the sun warms make people and animals roads, roof tops, and sick and nitrogen can cause North Hampton Exceeds Impervious parking lots. When rain algae blooms that block Surface Threshold for Water Quality credit water flows over warmed sunlight, deplete dissolved Impervious surfaces, such as roads and impervious surfaces, the oxygen, and kill many forms parking lots, collect toxic contaminants from cars, trucks, and even the air. When heat is transferred to the of aquatic life. Other it rains or when snow melts, the flowing water washes the concentrated contami- water and into drainage pollutants of concern are nants off and funnels them to rivers or streams. Increased heavy metals and oil from streams. Reducing the amount of impervi- ous surfaces and managing the runoff temperatures lower the vehicles. greatly improves water quality of surface and groundwater.

How Homeowners Can Reduce the Impact of Impervious Since North Hampton already exceeds the 10% threshold for Surfaces impervious surface, great care must be taken when planning To help protect the quality of North Hampton’s water and to minimize the damaging effects of for new development to minimize the addition and impacts of flooding and pollution, homeowners can do a variety of things that collectively will make a big more impervious surfaces. difference. Homeowners can: • Minimize lawn areas by planting shrubs, ground covers, and trees at the border of the property. Lawns are less effi- What can North Hampton do to cient than planted landscaped areas at recharging ground- water and maintaining water quality. reduce the impacts of impervious • Limit the amount of impervious surface on their proper- surfaces? ties, such as sidewalks, roofs, driveways, patios and even North Hampton has accomplished many tasks to reduce the swimming pools. impacts of impervious surfaces. The Town has: • Direct rainwater runoff from gutter drains to areas that are • Targeted land conservation efforts to protect areas near landscaped. Known as rain gardens, these areas increase water bodies where impervious surfaces have the greatest groundwater recharge. impact on water quality. • Sweep driveways and walkways instead of hosing them • Implemented a wetland buffer ordinance that prevents down, thus slowing the rate at which pollutants enter local

impervious surfaces within 100 feet of wetlands. Using pervious pavement to create walkways waters. will encourage groundwater recharge and • Encouraged conservation design alternatives that slow the migration of pollutants to streams • Support Town efforts to protect water quality and enhance and rivers. minimize the amount of land disturbed, maintain the quality of life in North Hampton. significant ecological areas in a natural state, and reduce the amount of impervious surface created. The Town will continue to seek out opportunities to protect sensitive areas from development and to adopt land use GIVE WETLANDS SOME ELBOW ROOM ordinances that protect community water resources, but stewardship of water resources and wetland buffers falls Wetlands need undisturbed space around them that has mainly on individual landowners. many wild plants and animals to purify rainwater and to lessen the impacts of flooding.

At least 100 feet

In 2002, the Town acquired over 560 acres of land to help protect water quality of the WETLANDS BUILDINGS Winnicut and Litter River watersheds and the North Hampton drinking water supply. 5

From North Hampton’s We would like to hear from you Conservation Commission The Conservation Commission welcomes your thoughts about this publication or any other natural resource issue concerning North Hampton. There are two ways to share your thoughts: Much of North Hampton is comprised of critically important environmental ecosystems. About one-third of the Town's land area is wetlands, hosting two major 1. Email comments to river watersheds, the Winnicut and the Little River and two significant salt water [email protected] estuaries, the Little River and the Bass Beach Salt Marshes. Moreover, the Town 2. Fill out the form below and either mail it to the town depends solely on indigenous groundwater aquifers for drinking water supply. or drop it off at the library. These ecosystems are being threatened from several fronts. First, the Town's impervious surface area is 12.4% of the Town's land area, thereby causing surface Your name water runoff to exceed the 10% surface area guideline at which level wetlands Preferred way to respond to you: deterioration begins. Second, North Hampton has already experienced Phone number contamination of part of its drinking water supply from the Coakley Landfill Email address Superfund site, with underground chemical leaching into residential wells and with Mailing address the closure of a water company well which could have been contaminated by the chemicals. In addition, while Town voters passed an ordinance for a 100-foot wetland Question or Comment: buffer in 2003, it has also continued to routinely allow variance approvals to develop structures within those buffers. Finally, with growing pressures for continued development, the few remaining marginal lands are being developed in areas dangerously close to important wetlands resources and continued abuses such as filling wetlands and storing hazardous materials on the land continue, since regulatory enforcement resources are overburdened. North Hampton can ill-afford the accelerated continued deterioration of its wetlands resources. The stakes are very high, particularly with the threat to losing valuable drinking water aquifers. It is with this heightened level of concern that we bring you this informational newsletter. Did you find this newsletter useful? We welcome any feedback you may have on this newsletter by dropping off the comment form in the library or sending an e-mail to Very Useful Somewhat Useful Not Useful [email protected]. This survey can be mailed to:

Town of North Hampton Conservation Commission North Hampton Conservation Commission 237 Atlantic Avenue—2nd floor North Hampton NH 03862

Article IV—District Regulations Complete listing www.northhampton-nh.gov/ Read the complete North Public_Documents/NorthHamptonNH_PZDept/regsTOC Hampton Planning and Zoning Section 409 Wetland Conservation Areas Ordinances and Regulations 409.1 PURPOSE: IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH, CONVENIENCE, SAFETY AND WELFARE, THE REGULATIONS OF THIS DISTRICT ARE INTENDED TO GUIDE THE USE OF AREAS OF LAND WITH EXTENDED On-line at the Planning and PERIODS OF HIGH WATER TABLES, AND TO ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES: Zoning Department Page on A. To control the development of structures and land uses on naturally occurring wetlands which would contribute to pollution of surface and groundwater by any means. www.northhampton-nh.gov B. To prevent the destruction of natural wetlands which provide flood protection, recharge the groundwater supply, and the augmentation of stream flow during dry periods. C. To prevent unnecessary or excessive expense to the Town related to the provision and maintenance of essential services and utilities which arise because of unwise use of wetlands. D. To encourage those uses that can appropriately and safely be located in wetland areas.

E. To preserve wetlands for ecological reasons including, but not limited to, those cited in RSA 482-A. Continued to page 2 F. To preserve and enhance those aesthetic values associated with the Wetlands of this Town. G. To provide a single and consistent approach for identifying and delineating wetlands based on the most advanced professional standards and scientific analysis.

Section 414 Water Resources Protection 414.5 AQUIFER PROTECTION DISTRICT ORDINANCE

414.5.A AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE

Pursuant to RSA 674:16-21, the Town of North Hampton adopts an Aquifer Protection District and accompanying regulations in order to protect, preserve, and maintain potential groundwater supplies and related groundwater recharge areas identified by the Town. The objectives of the Aquifer Protection District are: A. To protect the public health and general welfare of the citizens of North Hampton. B. To prevent development and land use practices that would contaminate or reduce the recharge to the identified aquifers and all inter-related waters in town. Learn about: C. To assure the availability of public and private water supplies for the present and the future growth of the • Permitted land uses Town in accordance with the Master Plan. D. To encourage uses that can appropriately and safely be located in the aquifer recharge areas. • Restricted land uses E. To heighten awareness of the need for annual review of the Coakley Site monitoring wells and the testing of residential wells. • Maximum impervious surface cover

• Septic system setbacks

• And more 6 Bringing back tidal flow helped salt marsh and provided flood relief

By Cathy Coletti, NH Coastal Program

For 50 years, a culvert under Route 1A in North Hampton behaved like a clogged bath- tub drain. The single, small culvert could han- dle neither the tidal flow from the ocean nor the rain draining off the land. The salt marsh across the street, where tides are essential for life, was slowly and steadily dying. Re-establishment of sharp- tailed salt marsh sparrows is To make matters worse, the wide-open 200-acre marsh has its one of the main goals for the limits to how much water it can hold, especially when so many New Hampshire Audubon’s manmade structures are nearby, like seawalls and pavement, Little River Salt Marsh Wild- causing water to get trapped and spill over into roads and base- life Sanctuary. Habitat resto- ments. This is especially pronounced during coastal storms when ration is the most important water running off the land meets the high tides with nowhere to activity that will enable the go. raspy trilling call of this During a storm in October 1996, over six feet of water covered sparrow to be heard again. Little River Marsh, flooding nearby residences and causing a public outcry for the town and state and federal agencies to take action.

In 2000, after three years of project planning, a partnership of The shores of the Little River in North Hampton agencies, coordinated by Ted Diers from the New Hampshire Coastal Program at the New Hampshire Department of Environ- tidal flow will move the water and bring in hungry fish to these mental Services and Alan Ammann from the Natural Resource stagnant pools to have dinner on the insects they will find there. Conservation Service, replaced the undersized culvert with twin Restoration is a key aspect of conservation in New Hampshire. 6 foot by 12 foot box culverts. Diers said that the experience Our coast was the first part of the state to be developed, making Removal of showed how to build and sustain partnerships around restora- it fitting that it leads the way in restoration activities. As this pro- tion projects. Greenland dam ject demonstrates, restoring natural function to our ecosystems In this same spirit of partnership, NHDES continues its invest- helps humans at the same time it rebuilds ecological integrity. will restore ment in the Little River Salt Marsh with Phase II of the restora- For more information on the Coastal Program’s Restoration Pro- tion work currently being planned. The goal is to bring more migratory fish to gram, please visit www.des.nh.gov/coastal/restoration or call tidal flow to the upper reaches of the salt marsh, where standing 603-559-1500. the Winnicut water collects and mosquitoes make their breeding pools. More River

The Winnicut Dam in The headwaters of the Winnicut River are special and worth protecting Greenland will be removed By Dr. Ray Konisky, New Hampshire Chapter of the Nature Conservancy in 2009 to restore migratory fish habitat in the Great Bay that supplies the drinking water for the town is very near this tributary. The restoration of wetland. The open, largely undisturbed marsh land is home to a the river is important for variety of animals and plants that need this type of habitat to rainbow smelt populations, survive. There are heron rookeries located throughout the area as well as river herring and and numerous sightings of deer, beaver, and muskrat. American eels. In addition, the Winnicut's direct connection to Great Bay makes The dam is owned by the it an important watershed for migratory fish species like alewife, New Hampshire of Fish and eel, shad, and smelt. The current dam at the head-of-tide near Game Department and is Route 33 now prevents these threatened species from passing the only human-made from the estuary into upstream fish habitat. New Hampshire Fish barrier to upstream fish and Game is now leading an effort to remove this obstruction and movement along the main re-open as many as 40 miles of habitat to migratory fish. Once stem of the river. The water above the dam site, however, fish will still face a dense network of below the dam is influenced road crossings and culverts that limit migrations. To address this, by the tides. The dam The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire is completing an

The Winnicut River flows through expansive swamps in the northwestern part of the town. inventory of the more than 40 watershed culverts and assessing each for fish passage potential and possible improvements. The headwaters of the Winnicut To protect the Winnicut River, care must be taken to keep the River that create a peaceful open headwater marshland open and well vegetated. The vegetated landscape in the northwest corner Smelt are just one species of fish that will land along the Winnicut River and its tributaries west of I-95 have benefit from the increased spawning of North Hampton are an important resource for water quality undergone relatively little residential development, with the most habitat made available in the Winnicut River. and wildlife resources. The area was identified as an important intensive development occurring between Rt. 1 and I-95 in the currently restricts fish conservation area in the Land Conservation Plan for New center of town. Highway crossings, particularly those of I-95 and movement within the Hampshire’s Coastal Watersheds due to its expanse of Rt. 111, have significant impact on the watershed and buffers. In Winnicut River, which in undisturbed open space, influence on town aquifers, and impact addition to the obvious threat to wildlife, the roads negate the turn affects other ecological on the environmental health of Great Bay. flood protection qualities of the marsh and enable pollutants from systems that are dependent The headwaters of the Winnicut River begin in Line Swamp, in automobiles to quickly wash into the water, thus diminishing upon the fish populations the southwest corner of town. The river continues north into water quality. Continued protection by the town and abutting for dispersal within the Greenland and eventually ends in Great Bay. This watershed has residents is critical to maintain the many benefits provided by the ecosystem. significant capacity to detain flood waters, provide water quality Winnicut River. Although a fish ladder was restoration, and has significant wildlife value. During heavy rains, Editorial note: Your Conservation Commission is working in a incorporated into the dam the marsh will absorb the excess surface water much like a sponge collaborative effort with the Nature Conservancy to test and when it was built in 1957, its and slowly release it into the Winnicut River. This slowing of the monitor water quality along the Winnicut River. Test results design has proven to be water helps keep flood waters within the banks of the river. As the showing contamination will be referred to regulatory officials for inefficient in enabling fish water flows through the marsh it is cleaned and rid of harmful enforcement. pollutants. This is especially important since the major aquifer to pass. 7 Homeowners Guide to Protecting Buffers and Water Quality

Top 10 ways to improve and protect water quality around the house Reduce When it comes to keeping North Hampton’s water clean, it is often the individual homeowner who can make the biggest contribu- Landscaping tions. The following are 10 activities that individuals can take on their properties to maintain healthy water quality. Chemical Use Fertilizers, insecticides, and #10 Plant Rain Gardens #5 Prevent Chemical herbicides are damaging to Spills Direct downspouts and sump our water supply. Where pump discharges to areas Secure stored oil, gasoline, fertilizers are a must, choose fertilizer, and pesticides in organic, slow release ones. planted with water-loving For pesticides and leak-proof containers and plants. herbicides, choose those with never near wetlands. the shortest lives, and those #9 Landscape with which affect only the Native Plants #4 Maintain Your Septic targeted species of pests or Planting native plants System weeds. Better yet, use none. reduces need for chemical citation NH Department of Environmental Services recommends that septic systems be pesticides and fertilizers and provide food and habitat for More many wildlife species. inspected annually and pumped every three to five years. Information #8 Mow High #3 Minimize Impervious Surfaces Slow-Release Fertilizers for Mowing your lawn higher Build the smallest buildings, patios, and driveways as possible Home Gardens and than 3 inches will produce a and use water-permeable materials. Landscapes (http:// lush turf that holds water, is extension.unh.edu/Pubs/ #2 Reduce Fertilizer Use HGPubs/slowfert.pdf) - UNH weed-resistant, and requires Grow and maintain plants that required no fertilization. Cooperative Extension factsheet less fertilizer. that defines slow release Reduce lawn area and use only slow release fertilizers. fertilizers and offers options. #7 Minimize Erosion Landscaping at the Water’s Maintain lush plant growth Edge: An Ecological in areas with steep slopes to Lane Evan #1 Maintain Healthy Buffers to Wetlands Approach (cost $20, call 603- hold soil in place. Minimize soil loss on seeded areas by using 679-5616) - UNH Cooperative Maintaining 100 feet of lush, vegetated areas Extension manual for NH straw mulch. adjacent to wetlands will filter stormwater runoff, reduce landowners and landscapers that describes ecologically-based #6 Manage Stormwater Runoff erosion, lesson impacts of flooding, and provide adequate design and low impact Slope driveways and patios to direct rainwater to vegetated habitat for many wildlife species. maintenance practices. areas that recharge groundwater. Proper Lawn Care In the Protected Shoreland - The Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act - (http:// www.des.state.nh.us/factsheets/ sp/sp-2.htm) - NHDES factsheet that describes appropriate techniques for homeowners. Backyard buffers that work for people and nature by restoring ecological function

In 2006 the City of Portsmouth and several conservation or- plan is called the “stylish gardener” and introduces exciting What are the ganizations worked together to create a brochure to increase plant color and texture into the buffer to enhance the visual benefits of healthy awareness about wetland buffers in the community and pro- landscape, with plants like purple beech, shamrock inkberry, wetland buffers? vide property owners with landscaping designs for healthy and wetland iris. The final landscaping design offered in the Wetland buffers provide a buffers. brochure is called “Natural Design” uses Northeast native long list of benefits to society plant varieties that require low maintenance and provide a The brochure includes three detailed landscaping plans. The mix of evergreen, deciduous and coniferous plants. and the buffer landowner. first is called the Wildlife Enhancement” plan that suggests packing the 50 foot buffer with fruit bearing plants like Each plan also includes recommendations for maintaining the Here is a partial list: highbush blueberry , bearberry, and winterberry to provide design and suggested plant lists. food and habitat for resting or nesting. The second landscaping • Provide erosion and flood control A sample from the natural landscaping design • Prevent water damage to homes and buildings

• Filter sediments and debris

• Absorb and transform nutrients that would pollute surface waters

• Regulate stream flows

• Moderate stream water temperatures

• Stabilize the banks of waterways

• Protect in-water habitats

• Enhance wildlife habitats and corridors

• Provide recreation

• Enhance the aesthetics Copies of this brochure are available from the City of Portsmouth by contacting Portsmouth Environmental Planner of the landscape Peter Britz at [email protected] to request copies. 8 North Hampton’s Aquifers New invasive An aquifer is any formation in bedrock or sand and gravel that This was confirmed in the late 1980's, when some residential can yield a useable amount of water. In addition to bedrock wells in North Hampton in the LaFayette Terrace and North plant threatens aquifers, North Hampton is fortunate in having three major Road areas were found to be contaminated by the Coakley seacoast aquifers in sand and gravel that are utilized for water. North Landfill Superfund site. The DES indicated in 1986 that " 1,1 Hampton sand and gravel aquifers are shallow, some only 50 dichloroethane is the predominant contaminant found to date to 60 feet beneath the surface, while our bedrock aquifers are in the overburden water supply wells in North Hampton, most hundreds of feet deep. The sand and gravel of which were found on the west side of Rt 1 off Birch Road. majority of residential wells in aquifers are more This fact, combined with the contamination found in the town tap into bedrock aquifers. groundwater, surface waters and Little River tributaries near susceptible to the Birch Road area leads us to conclude Birch Road is a high Aquarion Water Company has contamination eleven bedrock and gravel risk area for contamination of private water supply wells." packed wells in North Hampton located primarily in the Subsequently, the water company's Hobbs well, located in the southeastern and northwestern parts of Town. The shallow general vicinity of Birch Road, was closed as a result of sand and gravel aquifer wells yield markedly higher volumes concerns with its potential contamination. While we are not than the bedrock wells. However, our sand and gravel aquifers aware of any indications of further contamination, to are more susceptible to contamination because of their safeguard our groundwater aquifers, we must be continually shallow depth. diligent in monitoring ground water and in maintaining Pepperweed is an drinking water protection areas near our wells. invasive species that threatens Seacoast Healthy landscaping habitats. The plant can Continued from page 2 grow four feet tall and produces white flowers flowers, and shrubs that encourage water infiltration. Before Professional landscapers and gardeners suggest top dressing at the top of its smooth, you spread fertilizer test your soil to see if you need it. If you lawns with compost. Compost reduces the need for fertilizers fleshy stem. must fertilize, select a slow release fertilizer or organic and water by supplying nutrients and helping the soil retain Populations of fertilizer to avoid excess nutrients running into the water. moisture. For more information on how your backyard can pepperweed have been Most importantly maintain a fertilizer-free buffer around help water quality, contact Barbara McMillan, Outreach located in Hampton and wetlands. Coordinator, N.H. Department of Environmental Services, Rye. The NH Coastal (603) 271-7889. Where you need to have a lawn plant a mixture of grasses, Program seeks clover, and legumes because a mix How much For information about your garden or lawn, soil testing, native volunteers to find new of the different species requires lawn do you plants, composting, and more, contact UNH Cooperative infestations. For more less nitrogen fertilizer and water, Extension Family Home & Garden Education Center Info-Line information contact the and is more resistant to diseases need? (877) 398-4769. Coastal Program at 603- and pests. Consider planting native plant species instead of 559-1500. non-native plants. Native plants generally require much less water, pesticides, fertilizers, or trimming.

Dismal swamp New rule changes for landowners Town of North Hampton Town Offices Continued from page 1 adjacent to tidal portions of the Little 237 Atlantic Avenue—2nd floor Today we know that wetlands have many benefits and offer North Hampton NH 03862 Phone: 603-964-8087 great recreational opportunities including hiking, kayaking River Hours: M-F 8:00AM - 4:00 PM and wildlife viewing. They are an important part of the hy- www.northhampton-nh.gov On July 1, 2008, changes to drologic cycle, positively affecting water quality and water the NH Comprehensive Land Use Boards supply. Shoreland Protection Act Contact: Wetlands provide valuable flood storage, sedimentation Wendy Chase, Planning and (CSPA) were adopted and Zoning Administrator control, and natural water filtration. And wetlands are vital some North Hampton [email protected] wildlife habitats, home to some of the most endangered ani- landowners were affected by 603-964-8650 mals in New Hampshire, including the sedge wren, the the new regulations. The act marbled salamander and the ringed bog haunter dragonfly. states that all coastal waters Special thanks to the subject to the ebb and flow of subcommittee of town officials Across the United States, roughly half of the wetlands have that reviewed this document: the tide are under the been lost in the last 200 years. But not all states are the Emily Creighton same in terms of wetland loss. jurisdiction of the CSPA. (Select Board Chair) Phil Wilson New Hampshire has lost the least amount in the Northeast, The act establishes restrictions within a 250-foot buffer zone of (Planning Board, Chair) protected waters. The reference line for coastal waters is the just about 9 percent of its original wetlands. We are much Tim Harned (Water Commissioner) better off than California, which has lost 91 percent of its highest observable tide line, which means a line defining the furthest landward limit of tidal flow. This does not include Chris Ganotis historic wetlands. However, New Hampshire has experi- (Conservation Commission Chair) storm events. enced decreases in water quality and some wildlife popula- Lisa Wilson tions, especially in the southeastern portion of the state. The protected shoreland begins at the reference line and (Conservation Commissioner) extends 250-foot landward. The 250-foot mark is not a Lee Brooks To curb these downward trends, in 1969 New Hampshire (Conservation Commissioner) setback. It is the jurisdictional limit of the CSPA. However, enacted law RSA 482:A, which states "no person shall exca- Phil Thayer (Conservation Commissioner) vate, remove, fill, dredge or construct a structure in surface within the jurisdictional limit, there are setbacks from the reference line. Activities prohibited or restricted at varying Richard Stanton water, bank or a wetland without a permit from the Depart- (Zoning Board of Adjustments, Chair) ment of Environmental Services." Passage of this law was degrees within 250 feet of the reference line include construction of impervious surfaces, land clearing, tree This publication was produced by significant because it showed that people understood that a the New Hampshire Estuaries wetland has great public value, even if it exists entirely on cutting, and installation of septic systems. Learn all of the Project, which is a U.S. EPA— details of the CSPA at http://www.des.state.nh.us/CSPA/ funded program at the University private land. of New Hampshire with the In addition, Wetland, Subsurface (including subdivision) or mission to protect, enhance, and Given that we now better understand the services wetlands monitor the environmental health provide to wildlife, the environment and humanity; it seems Alteration of Terrain permits require supplemental of the region’s estuaries. they may be due for another name change. Perhaps it would information about the property if any part of the proposed be more appropriate to rename them "lifelands." Something project falls within the protected shoreland. to consider. Questions regarding the CSPA may be directed to [email protected] www.nhep.unh.edu